14 DCMR § 14-2004
RENTS FOR HOUSING UNITS RECEIVING SUBSIDY ALLOCATIONS
Operative Text
2004.1 The Payment Standard applied to housing units receiving allocations shall be as follows: (a) One hundred percent (100%) of the applicable Payment Standard Schedule for units where no rehabilitation work is anticipated; (b) Up to one hundred percent (100%) of the payment applicable for newly constructed or rehabilitated housing for units where construction or rehabilitation work is anticipated or has occurred within the last twelve (12) months. The percentage of the payment standard allowed shall be consistent with an amount determined by DCHA to be reasonable; or (c) A higher amount, not to exceed the Fair Market Rents set forth in § 1906.1, where the Director of DCHA determines that construction or rehabilitation is not feasible within the limits of subsection 2004.1(b). 2004.2 Subsequent increases in rent levels, after initial occupancy, shall be established as follows: (a) For units subject to the District’s rent stabilization law, periodic increases shall be allowed in accordance with § 1916.5; or (b) For properties not subject to the District’s rent stabilization law, rent increases shall be the lesser of the following: (1) The percentage increase in any revised Payment Standard Schedule, by appropriate unit size, shall be applied to the previous rent level approved; or (2) The amount allowed under a rent regulatory agreement pursuant to another assistance program of the District government. 2004.3 If the amount allowed under § 2004.2(b) is not sufficient to meet reasonable costs of the housing provider, a request may be made for approval of a higher rent level for payment calculations based on documented costs satisfactory to DCHA. 2004.4 The schedule of allowances for Tenant Paid Utilities in units receiving allocations shall be the same as the schedule of allowances for similar properties.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-2004 establishes how rents are set and adjusted for housing units that receive subsidy allocations administered by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA). The initial rent level is tied to a Payment Standard Schedule, with higher allowances available for newly constructed or rehabilitated units, and in exceptional cases rents may reach Fair Market Rent levels if DCHA's Director determines that construction or rehabilitation is otherwise not feasible. After initial occupancy, rent increases follow either the District's rent stabilization rules or a formula based on revised Payment Standard Schedules or existing rent regulatory agreements, whichever produces the lower increase. Tenant-paid utility allowances for these units are set on the same schedule as comparable properties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of housing units receiving subsidy allocations under § 14-2004 generally document whether rehabilitation work is anticipated or has recently occurred, since that determination directly affects which payment standard tier applies to the unit. For subsequent rent increases, compliant operators track whether their property falls under the District's rent stabilization law, and if not, apply the lesser of the revised Payment Standard Schedule increase or any applicable rent regulatory agreement cap. Where those limits do not cover reasonable operating costs, § 2004.3 provides a process for submitting documented cost justifications to DCHA to request approval of a higher rent level.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-2004, tenants living in subsidy-allocated units have their rents governed by DCHA's Payment Standard Schedule, and any increases after initial occupancy must follow specific formulas—either the District's rent stabilization rules or a cap tied to revised payment standards or regulatory agreements. Tenants in units subject to rent stabilization retain the protections of that law, meaning increases must comply with § 1916.5 of the same regulations. Tenants who believe a rent increase exceeds what § 14-2004 permits may consider contacting DCHA directly, reaching out to a tenant-rights organization in the District, or raising the issue as a defense in any relevant housing proceeding.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation